Ladders are handy dandy equipment. They are versatile and can be used for a lot of home repair jobs and DIY projects. But working with ladders can be risky and challenging especially for roof repairs or cleaning the chimney. You have to be more cautious, and a ladder hook helps make your ladder more stable and safe.
And if you are a master DIYer, you might want to make one your own. You can buy raw materials such as metal tongs, wooden boards, and steel from home depot. And in case you don’t know yet how to make a roof ladder hook, we will be showing you how.
In addition, we will also toss in a few extra tips that you should know when you’re making a ladder hook. These will ensure your safety while you are doing your repairs and home DIY projects.
A Simple Guide on How to Make a Roof Ladder Hook Using Steel
Are you ready to make a roof ladder hook? This is going to be easy and exciting at the same time! Hover through our easy guide below.
1. Gather all the materials
Before we start, here are the tools and equipment that you will be needing for this project. Make sure you have everything on the table. You will be able to find these materials in your local hardware store or at Home Depot.
Two pieces of wood have been joined together to form a 45-degree angle
Tongs or metal clamps
Blow torch
A long piece of steel
2. Get the measurements of your roof
So that we can make a ladder hook that will have a tight and snug fit. Get the measurements of the edge of your roof. A snug-fitting ladder hook will be more safe and stable.
And the roof edge and landing have a very specific measurement. After getting the distance, you need to add 4 inches to this length
3. Shaping the roof hooks
We need to mold the roof ladder hook into a V shape. And we need the 2 pieces of wood that have been joined together to form a 45-degree angle for this. Remember the measurement of the edge and the landing that we have taken earlier? Cut the two pieces of wood according to this number.
Set the wood so that the V shape is upside down. And It should be pointing directly upward.
Steel is often recommended as the hook material. Or you also pretty much use any material that will not warp or bend under tension. It has to be durable and strong.
Lay the steel on one side of the wood and heat it with a blow torch. The heat will soften the steel. So it’s time to shape it. You can use the tongs to mold the steel into the desired shape. And as long as it’s hot, you’ll be able to shape it in which way you want.
Ensure that the hook will be able to mold around the edge of the roof. So you have to compare the measurements that you have taken before.
4. Creating the handles
Before making the handles, ensure that the molded steel or the hook has cooled down thoroughly. Handles make it easier to use the hook. The hook will also have a better grip on the roof.
Lay at the other end of the hook against one area of the wood. Then blast it with a blow torch. When it’s hot enough, start shaping the handles. It’s pretty much the same as shaping the hook. Now allow it to cool down before trying it on.
And you’re all set!
How to Make a Roof Ladder Hook using Utility Lumber
The second option is to make a ladder hook made of utility lumber. And we’ll also tackle how to connect it to your existing ladder.
1. Gather all the materials needed. Secure the flowing.
An existing ladder
Four short plywood boards
2 long plywood boards
Drill
Two C clamps
protractor
measuring tape
2. Lay the two long wooden boards side by side.
Ensure that the two lumber pieces have the same length and width.
3. Measure ⅔ of the wooden board using your measuring tape.
Mark it on both boards.
4. Place one end of the board on the outside of your ladder.
Use the clamp to secure one end of the board to the ladder. Our goal is to make sure that the longer end of the board should be facing down and the shorter end facing up.
5. Drill a screw onto the board.
Then fix the board to the ladder using screws.
6. Do the same thing for the other side of the board.
7. By this time, you’ll have one board attached to the ladder.
Now get your protractor. We have to angle the board so that the ladder will fit on top of the roof. You can either estimate the angle or measure your roof. Either way, you can still adjust it later.
8. Now we need to secure the ladder hook to the ladder using the smaller pieces of wood.
Using the clamps, fix the smaller board to the inside of the piece that you just screwed on to the ladder. Then angle it so that it rests against the inside of the ladder.
9. Get your drill. We need to connect the two pieces of wood.
Drill one screw on top of the longer bard into the smaller board. The clamp should be fixed so that the angle will remain.
10. Connect the wooden pieces into the ladder.
Drill a screw into the board through the ladder. It’s important to note that the wooden boards should be placed on the inside of the ladder. Otherwise, it will be unstable. Do the same thing with another side
11. To make it more stable, we need to reinforce it with wooden boards.
Put one of the smaller boards to the top point of the ladder hook. Add the wood piece and clamp it. Screw into the wooden board into the frame on both sides.
12. We also need to reinforce the bottom.
Take the second piece of small wooden board. Screw it to the end of your roofing hook.
13. Add more screws to the parts of the ladder hook that wobbles.
14. The next step is to test it. Move the ladder until it falls into place on the peak of the roof.
15. You can move the ladder on top of the roof by sliding it across the roof and coming up and down the ladder.
How Do You Attach a Roof Ladder Hook to the Roof
It can be confusing to use a ladder hook, especially if it has wheels. But it’s pretty simple.
- Make sure that the ladder rungs have ladder hooks attached well with wingnuts.
- Pull the ladder towards the roof by bringing it up. Make sure that you have enough space to move around. Thus, it should be 2-3 feet away from where your chimney or vent is.
- Make sure that the wheels of the hooks are in contact with the shingles of the roof. Keep pushing the ladder up until the shingles get in touch with the wheels.
- To use the hook, turn the hook over, the wheel should be facing downward this time. Move the ladder back and forth to see if it has a good grip.
- Now you do any roofing work more safely! Once done, just reverse the process to dismantle the hook from the ladder.
- Make sure the hook faces up, then turn it over. You can bring it back down by rocking it. It also helps if you have a safety rope and safety harness.
- Remember never to ascend or descend the ladder while you’re holding onto the ladder hook. Both hands must be grabbing the side of the ladder. Thus, you will need a tool belt to carry any tools you might need.
You may also like: How to Put a Ladder on a Sloped Roof
Why Use a Roof Ladder Hook
Are these essential? You might be seeing homeowners and DIYers working on the roof without one. But if you have a high-pitched roof or if you are using a steeper ladder, this can save your life.
Many falling accidents from using extension ladders are caused by the ladder swinging or becoming unstable while you’re still on it. That’s why you have to ensure that the ladder will not move while you’re in the middle of your repairs and projects.
So to make the ladder more stable and safe, you need to use a roof ladder hook. Moreover, it gives an extra layer of security for those homeowners who aren’t into much DIY. So even if you are working on a flat roof, roof ladder hooks can still benefit you. This is especially helpful to those who are not comfortable working at higher heights.
FAQ’s
Are roof ladder hooks safe?
Yes, roof ladder hooks are relatively safe to use. And you must use these when working with narrow roof pitch or if you have a steeper ladder. This will amp up the safety and make the ladder more stable.
Can I lean the ladder against the gutter?
It’s a big no-on. Doing so can cause damage to your gutter. It may also cause clogging problems and it can entail a hefty cost for repairs. Rather, it’s better to lean the ladder against the siding of the gutter and not on the gutter itself.
Final Say
Working a ladder is risky and challenging, especially if you’re climbing the roof with an extension ladder. And to make your DIY projects and roof chores safer, you need to make sure that the ladder is extra stable. And you can do that by using roof ladder hooks.
You can buy several durable roof ladder hooks from reliable brands. But if you are a seasoned DIYer and handyman, you might think of making your own. And it’s quite easy to do so. Our article on how to make a roof hook will help you with this project.